Water heater



March 8, 1938.

2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Sept. 23, 1935 l I IIVIIT March 8, 1938. F; E. woLcoTT WATER HEATER Filed Sept. 23, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Mar. 8, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WATER HEATER Frank E. Wolcott, West Hartford, Conn., assignor to` The Silex Company, a corporation of C'onnecticut Application September 23, 1935, Serial No. 41,659-

` 41 claims'. (C1. 21e-39) heater and controlling the temperature thereof,

and improved means for taking careof the eX- pansion of the heated water and leakage in the water supply line. Still other objects of my invention are to provide an improved Water heater having improved and markedly safe heating means eliminating building up of pressure in the main heating tank or reservoir and alsok havingvimproved overflow and leakage discharging means associated with said reservoir and leading to and from a supplementary reservoir While also associated with the discharge or outlet means for the main reservoir. These and other objects and advantages of my improved construction Will, however, hereinafter more fully appear. v

In-the accompanying drawings I have shown for purposes of illustration one embodiment which my invention may assume in practice.

In these drawings,-

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the exterior of the illustrative heater;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the inner structure, the outer casing being broken away to facilitate illustration;

Fig. 3 is a view like Fig. 2 but taken from the front, the connections of control valve and spout also beingshown in section and the heating tank and overow tank also being broken away at the bottom to facilitate illustration;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the heater, the top cover being broken away and the insulation omitted to facilitate illustration;

Fig. 5 is a section on line 5--5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail section on line 6-6 of Fig. 4, and

Fig. 7 is a detail view showing a portion of the thermostat-mechanism, the external cover thereof being removed.

In this illustrative construction, I have shown' my invention as applied to awater heater of the.

typeadapted to be usedin `restaurants or the like,as on the back bar, and tobe used forgeneral water heating purposes, such,` for example,-

and having current supplied thereto through line conductors 3, and water through an inlet I, while the supply and discharge of water is controlled by a Valve operative by a handle 5 and the heated water is discharged through a spout 6. As shown, the heater is also controlled by a switch 'I and thermostatic mechanism hereinafter described and accessible through a cover 8 while a light or so-called bulls eye 9 indicates whether the current is' on.

Referring more particularly to the internal construction, note that within the casing I, a

chamber II) is provided above the base 2 which is adapted to house the various connections to the heater while providing an air space between the main heating portion thereof and the base. As shown, a bottom plate II for this chamber is disposed beneath a suitable shoulder at the top of and inside the base 2, and this bottom II is also connected by an axial screw connection I2 with a top member I3 also forming the bottom of an insulation containing chamber I 4. Herein, this chamber is, preferably, packed with mineral wool and carries withinthe same and spaced from the walls thereof, a heating tank or reservoir I5 and an overflow or expansion reservoir I6, the latter herein being carried by the reservoir I5 and disposed between the latter and the inner wall of the casing I.

As regards the heating means for the Water in the tank I5, while the same may assume Various forms and be heated by other means than electric heating means, it will be noted that I have herein illustrated the same as comprising an upstanding wholly enclosed immersion type electric heating element I'I. As shown, this element extends directly upward through the bottom I 8 of the tank I5 and is suitably attached and seated in said bottom, as indicated at I9, While having conductors connected lto suitable terminals 20 carried on a depending projection 2I which extends down through the top member I3 of the chamber I0 and into the latter in such cessible. I1 is of a standard construction having the resistance wire cast in the same and having the portion of the element whichA is in the fluid, of

flattened rectangular cross section, this type of element being found effective, but it will be understood that l; do not wishA in any way tol be limited to any particular element, as other stand` ard immersion type heaters maybe used. With sucha constructionand a 1600 watt element it is found that' very quick'heating of the entire capacity of the tank I5-is made possible,:the yheat water surrounding the same. n

Next considering the water connections for the tanks l5 and I6, it will be noted that the from the. unit I1 being quickly transferred to the ward through a pipe 22 which extends through the top I3 of the chamber I0 and Ithrough the chamber I4 in the casing I and around the 'tank I5 to a point at the front of the-latter where it is connected to a valve 23 controlled by the handle 5. Herein, the valve is such that by only a quarter turn of the valve handle 5 the supply of water through the valve is established or cut oif, the valve `herein being of the well known Quaturn type; although obviously other forms of valves may be used if desired. As shown, the

water also passes'from the valve 23 through a pipe 24 leading across above the top-of the tank I5, and then is directed downward into the latter through a suitably packed or sealed connection 25 and a pipe 26 forming the water inlet into the tank I5 and which extends down substantially to the bottom of the tank as shown in Figure 2. Note also that herein the pipe 26 is at the back of the tank substantially in rear of the connections of the spout 6 and also Ain rear of the heater element I1, and that the pipe 26 is curved adjacent its lower end (Fig. 3) in such manner as to pass down close to the bottom I8 at the far side of a thermostat, hereinafter described, from the heating element I1. Thus, with the pipe 26 disposed as described, all of the incoming cold water will be received at the bottom of the tank I5 and acted upon by the heater element I1 in such manner as to cause. the hot water to rise to the top ofthe tank I5.

Operativelyconnected at the top of the tank are improved outlet connections communicating with the spout 6`for drawing off hot water whenever the valve handle 5 is operated. Herein, theseI include a discharge `connection 21 connected through a, suction or siphoning connection 28, hereinafter described, to a pipe 29 which leads down outside the tank l5 and through-the chamber I4 inside the front of the casing I, and is connected to the discharge spout 6. Thus, assuming that the water in the ,tank I5 is hot, whenever the valve handle 5 is turned through a quarter turn to open position, hot water,will flow from the tank I5 through these discharging. connections 21, .28 and 23 to the'spout 6, this being due to.

the fact that whenever the valve handle 5 is operated, additional water to be heated is supplied to the tank I5 from the inlet 4 and to the pipe 22, valve 23, and pipes 24 and 26 to deliver the incoming water at the bottom of the tank I5 and thus force thehot water out at the top there- ,of.

Associated with the discharge connections described are also improved overflow connections. These, herein, include a pipe 36 connected to the suction or siphoning connection 28 at one side thereof and between a nozzle 3| at one end thereof and the connection of the pipe 23 tofthe opposite end thereof.' This pipe 30 extends down along the outside of the tank I5 and through a suitable tight cover 32 on-the overilow tank I6 which as previously described is located between the' tank and the outer casing I. Herein, this tank I6 is of a, curved conformation adapting it to conform to both the curvature of the tank may pass out through the spout 6. Asa result of the construction above described, any water caused by expansion to overflow from tank I5 when valve 23 is closed, is enabled to pass freely into the supplementary tank `I6 through the pipe 30. Further, whenever the valve handle 5 is operated to draw o hot water through the spout 6, the effect of the-water .lowing rapidly through the restriction presented by nozzle 3| is' to suck .or siphon any water in the tank I6 up through the pipe 30 and thereby cause this water to be withdrawn from the tank I6 and discharged with the other hot water, the tank I6 usually being completely emptied each time that the water is drawn. Also it will be noted that thecapacity of the tank I6 is such as -to take care of any i normal water expansion,` and that should there be a leak in the inlet line, as, for example, due to a faulty packing in the valve 23, the water rising in the reservoir I6 will overflow therefrom through the pipe 33 and drip out through the spout 6.

Operatively disposed in an improved manner relative to the heater and water inlet and also in the bottom' of the tank I5, is improved thermostatic control means. These means herein are in the form of `a wholly closed cylinder 35 which extends transversely of the bottom of the tank I5, through the wall thereof and a suitable packing,v and houses a suitable` thermostatic element responsive to temperature changes in the water. This termostatic element may be of various standard constructions, but herein `I have illustrated a preferred form of standard Hart type control rod such as used on electric ranges for oven temperature control and including a spirally disposed expansible element 36 housed in a suitable casing and operative to ei'- fect rotary movement of a cam mechanism 31 which, in turn, controls contacts 38 housed in the thermostat casing 8 on the exterior of the casing I. 'I'his thermostat mechanism being adjustable in well known manner, it will be evident that the temperature in the tank I5 may be set Within the desired predetermined limits and that the current ilow will be maintained or interrupted as necessary by the thermostat to maintain the temperature of the water within the desired limits.

The circuit connections in my improvedconstruction areillustrated in Figure 5. 'I'he switch 1, which is of any usual double pole type and housed within the chamber I0, has certain terminals connected to 'the conductors 3, while a conductor 39 also leads from one'of the switch terminals f to one of the terminals 20 of the electric heater element I1. Current is thus supplied through this element in a usual manner and to the other terminal 20 thereof, which is, in turn, connected by a conductor 48 leading to the contacts 38 of the thermostat, which are connected through another conductor 4I back to a terminal of the switch 1. Further, it will be noted that the signal light or indicator 8 is connected by conductors 42 across the terminals 20 of the heating element I1. Thus, current'ow through the resistance unit I1 is controlled by the switch 1, while the thermostat 35 also controls the circuit of the unit I1, and the signal light 8 isl on whenever current is owing through the heating element I1. Here attention is further directed to the i'act that all of these circuit connections and Iconductors are` disposed in the chamber I0 below the top I3 thereof and in such from the bottom of the chamber III by simply unscrewing the screw connection I2 and removing the bottom plate Il.

Inthe use of my improved construction, it will be evident that whenever it is desired to draw of! hot water, it is only necessary to operate the valve handle 5 to move the valve 23 from its closed to its open position, and thereby admit additional water to the bottom of the tank I5 which forces out the hot water from the top of the tank to the spout 6. Moreover, it will be evident that both flows will be interrupted upon a reverse operation of the valve handle 5; while the heating element I'I will be continued in operation whenever the switch 1 is in circuit closing position, in such.

whenever thethermostat closes the circuit of the heating element, the signal light 9 will be on.

As a result of my improvements, it will be noted that an electric water heaterf is provided wherein it is possible to heat the'water in the tank I5 to the desired temperature very eectively. Further, all the heat generated by the heater element is quickly absorbed by the water and a full tank oi' water is maintained at all times. Moreover, due to my improved construction, it is possible to maintain the desired temperature with very smallI current consumption; the current, under conditions of normal use of the heater, being required to be on for less than one minute an hour in order to maintain the desired temperature. creased safety of the heater due to the provision of my improved overilow tank in its connections, and to the fact that the same eliminate problems incident to the expansion of the water and leaki ing resulting therefrom. Here attention is also particularly directed to the fact that in my improved construction, there is no building up oilI pressure in the tank; the latter, instead, and also the expansion tank, always communicating with the atmosphere through the spout 6 as a result of my improved structure and the location of the controlling valve in the inlet of the main tank.

Also, theA improved provisions for emptying the scribed one embodiment which my invention may" assume in practice, it will be understood that this form of the same is shown for purposes of-lllus tration and that the invention may be modifiedl and embodied in other forms and used in connection with liquids other than water, without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims. Y

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:-

1. In a water heater, a tank for storing liquid during heating and 4dispensing having inlet and Attention is further directed to the in-v outlet connections, heating means for heating liquid stored in said tank, and means controlling the flow through said inlet for at will preventing `discharge during heating or effecting discharge said heating means for eiecting discharge from` said tank .through said outlet.

3. In a water heater, a tank for storing liquid during heating and dispensing having inlet and outlet connections and constantly communicating with the atmosphere, heating means for heating liquid stored in said tank, and means reversely operative while said heating means remains operative for eiecting. flow from said tank through said outlet by controlling the ilow through said inlet.

4. In a water heater, a tank for storing liquid during heating and dispensing having inlet and outlet connections and constantly communicating with the atmosphere, heating means for heating liquid stored in said tank responsive to the temperature in the latter, and means for eil'ecting ow from said tank through said outlet by controlling the flow through said inlet and reversely operative while said heating means re- 4mains operative or inoperative.

5. In a water heater, a tank having inlet and outlet connections leading into and out of said tank, heating means for the liquid in said tank, and inletiiow controlling means operative inde'- pendently of said heating means and also controlling the ilow through said outlet connection.

6. In a water heater, a tank having inlet and outlet connections leading into and out vof said tank, heating means for heating the liquid in said tank 'between dispensing operations, and inlet flow controlling means also controlling flow through said outlet connection and maintaining said tank in constant communication with the atmosphere through said outlet connection.

7. In a water heater, a tank having inlet and outlet connections, heating means for heating l the liquid stored in said tank while flow through said outlet is interrupted, aand means for maintaining said tank `during heating in constant communication with the atmosphere through said outlet connection.l

8. In a water heater, a tank having inlet and outlet connections, heating means for the`liquid in said tank, temperature controlled controlling means for starting and stopping said heating means, and means for maintaining said tank during heating in constant communication with the atmosphere through said outlet connection. 4

9. In a Water heater, a tank having inlet and outlet connections, heating means for the liquid in said tank controlled by the temperature of the heated liquid, and means for maintaining said.

controlled means controlling said heating means, said tank during heating having constant communication with the 'atmosphere through said outlet connection, and a controlling valve in said inlet 4connection operative independently oi' said heating and controlling means and 'controlling the ow through said outlet connection.

11. In a watr heater, a storage tank having inlet and outlet connections, heating means for the liquid stored in said tank, temperature controlled controlling means for said heating means, and controlling means operative toeiect or interrupt discharge through said outlet while said heating means remains operative or inoperative and while said tank remains in constantcommunication with `the atmosphere Athrough said outlet.

12. In a water heater, aistorage tankrhaving cold water inlet and hot water outlet connections, heatermeans for liquid in said tank, and a sup-'- plementary tank having means for delivering to said supplementary tank from said outlet connection overilow from said irst mentioned tank due to expansion therein.

13. In a water heater, a storage tank having a cold water inlet and hot water outlet connec-` tions, heater means for heating water in said tank, and a supplementary tank delivering to said outlet connection and having connections for reoeiving from said iirst mentioned tank overflow due to expansion therein. n.

14. In a water heater, a. tank having a cold water inlet and hot waterioutlet connections. heater means for heating water whilev in said tank and a `supplementary tank delivering to said outlet connection and having connections for receiving from said first mentioned tank overflow due to expansion therein, both said tanks having constant communication with the atmose phere through said outlet connection.

' 15. Ina water heater, a storage tank having discharge controllingmeans and inlet and outlet connections and constantly communicating with the atmosphere through its outlet, heating means for liquid in said tank, and an expansion tank receiving overflow from said iirst mentioned tank due to expansion and likewise constantly communicating with the atmosphere. i

16. In a water heater, a tank having discharg controllingmeans and cold water inlet and hot water outlet connections and constantly communicating with the atmosphere through said outlet, heating means for said tank, and an expansion tank receiving overow from said rst mentioned tank due to expansion and likewise constantly communicating with the atmosphere through said outlet connection'. 17. In a water heater, a storage having discharge controlling means and inlet andv outlet connections and constantly communicating with the atmosphere through its outlet, heating means i'or liquid in said tank, and an expansion tank receivingoverilowvfrom said iirst mentioned tank due to expansion and likewise constantly communicating with the atmosphere and having emptying means delivering through .Baidoutlet during discharge from said tlrst mentioned tank. 18. In a water heater, a tank having inlet and outlet connections, heater means for liquid in said tank, a supplementary tank having connections delivering to said supplementary tank overilow from said first mentioned tank due. to expansion therein, and suction means in said outlet for withdrawing -water from said supplementary tank whenever water is withdrawn from said nrst mentioned tank.

is. In s water heater, a' tank having inist and outlet connections, heaterl means for liquid iny ceiving overiiow due to expansion in said ilrst mentioned tank, and means for delivering the overilow from said supplementary tank to said outlet.

21. In a water heater, a storage tank having discharge controlling means and inlet and outlet connections and constantly communicating with the atmosphere through its outlet, heating means for liquid in said tank, and an expansion tank receiving overilow from said first mentioned tank due to expansion and likewise constantly` communicating with theatmosphere and having overow means delivering through said outlet in .any position of saidcontrolling means.

22. In a. water heater, a tank having inlet and 'outlet connections, heater means for liquid in said tank, a supplementary tank receiving overiiow due to expansion in said first mentioned tank, and suction means for discharging liquid in said supplementary tank through said outlet.

23. In a water heater, a tank having inlet and outlet connections, heater means for liquid in said tank, a supplementary tank receiving overoutlet connections, heater means for liquid in tank, a supplementary tank receiving overii w due to expansion in said first mentioned tank and communicating with said outlet, valve means in said inlet controlling the ow through said outlet, and suction means in said outlet for withdrawing liquid from said supplementary tank whenever said valve is open.

26. In a vWater heater, a main tank having inlet and outlet connections, heater means for liquid in said tank. a valve in said inlet connections, a spout connected to said outlet connection, a supplementary tank receiving the overow from said rst mentioned tank, and a suction means in said outlet connection delivering liquid in said supplementary tank to said spout whenever said valveis open. y

27. In a water heater, a. main tank having inlet and outlet connections, heater means 4for liquid in said tank, a valve in said inlet connections, a spout connected to said outlet connection, a supplementary tank receiving the overiiow from said ilrst mentioned tank, and an overflow connection from said supplementary tank leading to said outlet and spout.

28. In a water heater, a heater tank having cold water inlet and hot water outlet connections includingan inlet pipe leading down through the top of said' tank into the bottom thereof and an outlet pipe at the top of said tank, and immersion type heating means projecting upward in said tank along said inlet pipe. 29. In a .water cheater, a heater tank having cold water inlet and hot water outlet connections including an inlet pipe leading down through the top of said tank into the bottom thereof and an outlet pipe at the top of said tank, and immersion type heating means' projecting upward in said tank along said inlet pipe, said tank having constant communication with the atmosphere during heating through said outlet pipe.

30. In a water heater, a heater tank having cold water inlet and hot Water outlet connections including an inlet pipe leading down through the top of said tank into the bottom thereof and an outlet pipe at the top of saidtank, and immersion type heating means projecting upward in said tank along said inlet pipe, said tank having constant communication with the atmosphere during heating through said outlet pipe, Aand .valve means in said inlet pipe controlling the o'w through both pipes.

31. In a water heater, a storage tank having inlet and outlet connections including an inlet pipe leading downward from the top of said tank into -the bottom thereof and an outlet pipe at the top-of said tank, heating means for liquid in` said tank, and valve means in said inlet connection controlling the ow of cold water into the bottom of said tank and the consequent discharge of hot water through said outlet pipe at the top of said tank.

32. In a water heater, a heater tank having inlet and outlet connections, heating means therefor, a casing enclosing said tank, and-a supplementary tank inside said casing receiving the overow from said first mentioned tank arising from expansion during heating and de livering to said outlet.

33. In a water heater, a heater tank having inlet and outlet connections, heating means therefor, a casing enclosing said tank, and a supplerhentary tank inside said casing receiving the overflow from said first mentioned tank arising from expansion during heating and delivering to said outlet, both of said tanks having constant communication with the atmosphere through said outlet.

34. In a water heater, a heater tank having inlet and outlet connections, heating means therefor, a casing enclosing said tank and housing insulation therefor, and a supplementary tank substantially within the longitudinal limits of said heater tank inside said'casing and between the same andsaid rst mentioned tank and receiving the overflow from the latter arising from expansion during heating.

35. In a water heater, a heater tank having inlet and outlet connections,` heating means therefor, a casing enclosing said tank and hous'- ing insulation therefor, and a supplementary 'tank substantiallyv within the longitudinal limits ing insulation therefor, and a supplementary tank substantially within the longitudinal limits of said heater tank inside said casing and between the same and said ilrst mentioned tank and receiving the overflow from the latter arising from expansion during heating, said supplementary tank conforming to the adjacent surfaces of said iirst mentioned tank and casing.

37. In'an electric water heater, a heating tank having cold water inlet and hot water outlet connections therefor including an inlet delivering through the top of said tank to a point adjacent the bottom thereof and an outlet at the top, immersion type electric heating means for said tank projecting upward iri the latter along said inlet, and thermostatic controlling means for said heating means including an element -projecting transversely into the lower particu of said tank.

3.8. In an electric water heater, a heating tank having cold water inlet and hot water outlet connections therefor including an inlet delivering through the top of saidltank to a point adjacent the bottom thereof and an outlet at the top, immersion type electric heating means for said tank projecting upward in the latter along said inlet, and thermostatic controlling means for said heating means including an element projectingtransversely into the lower portion of said tank, said tank having constant communication with the atmosphere during heating through said outlet.

39. In an electric water heater, a heating tank having inlet and outlet connections therefor in the bottom .and top thereof including an outlet constantly communicating with the atmosphere, electric heating means in said tank, thermostatic control means for said heating means, and a valve means in said inlet controlling the iiow of cold water through said inlet to the bottom of said tank and the resultant discharge of hot` vwhenever current is flowing through said electric heating means.

41. In an electric water heater, an upstanding heater tank--having cold water inlet and hot water outlet connections, including a spout, valve .means above said spout controlling the admission of cold water to said tank and the flow of hot water through said spout, electric heating means in said tank, thermostatic control means in said tank controlling the circuit of said heating means, a switch likewise controlling said circuit and the circuit of said thermostatic means,

and an indicator light having a circuit connected to said heater circuit for .lighting said light whenever current is flowing through said electric heating means, said tank being disposed and insulated in an enclosing casing and said casing having a chamber belowthe insulation therein housing the connections for said circuits.

FRANK E. woLoo'r'r.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION. Patent lNo, ,11o,251 g March 8, 1938.

l FRANK E. WOLCOTT. It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification .of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 2, first column, line 55', after "water" insert the words 'from the tank l5; page 5, f irst column, line 29,` claim 5l, after "liquid" vinsert the word etored; same page, -se-cond column', lines )i5 and 57, claims )4 0 andlilrespectively, after ,"conne ctions strike out the comma; and that thesaid Letters Patent should'be'read these corrections therein 'that the'same may conformAto the record Vof the case in the PatentI Office; d

` signedjand sealed thi 12th day of April., A. D. i958.

V Henry Van l.li:rs',d.al e, v (Seal) Acting Commiseioner of Patents. 

